For the third straight week, the Horizon League Pitcher of the Week is a Valparaiso Crusader.

Karch Kowalczyk (Peru, Ill./La Salle-Peru H.S.) was named HL Pitcher of the Week Monday for the second time in three weeks.

The junior saved three games last week, raising his season total to seven.

Kowalczyk did not allow a run this season until Saturday's 10-7 win over first-place Milwaukee. His 0.52 earned run average is the lowest in the Horizon League for any pitcher with at least 15 innings pitched.

In four appearances total last week, Kowalczyk struck out four and allowed just three hits in 3 1/3 innings pitched.

The closer also helped his team at the plate this past weekend in a three-game sweep of the first-place Panthers.

Kowalczyk went 4-for-11 with two runs scored, a double, three RBI, and two walks in three starts as the designated hitter against Milwaukee.

He raised his average from .174 to .235 in the process.